Electric trolling motors work well for trolling on flat water, but when it comes to going in choppy water and in the ocean, another type of propulsion comes to mind, and that is (very) small, lightweight, outboard gas engines. This is because electric trolling motors have a low effective power output relatively to the combined weight of their engine and battery, or batteries. They offer a reduced effective activity time, and that could be a problem in long trips, or in adverse weather.
An overpowered boat, or kayak, is unsafe, and keeping safety in mind, most small outboard boat engines are too big and powerful for kayaks - even for the stablest kayak, which is the W500. However, smaller outboard gas motors are hard to find.

Electric trolling motors work well for trolling on flat water, but when it comes to going in choppy water and in the ocean, another type of propulsion comes to mind, and that is small, lightweight, portable outboard gas engines. This is because electric trolling motors have a low effective power output relatively to the combined weight of their engine and battery, or batteries. They offer a reduced effective activity time, and that could be a problem in long trips, or in adverse weather.

Another advantage that gas (fuel) motors have is the fact that refueling them is easy, so their range is not as unlimited as the range of electric motors is.

An overpowered boat, or kayak, is unsafe, and keeping safety in mind, most outboard boat motors are too big and powerful for kayaks – even for the stablest kayak, which is the W500. However, smaller outboard gas motors would work well with the W500.

We do not recommend using big and powerful engines, simply because going too fast in such a small boat (or any boat, or vehicle) can be dangerous, as both directional stability (tracking) and lateral stability are reduced at high speed that can be reached with such motors. Also, the more powerful the engine, the heavier it is, which could lead to steering problems.

7 Comments

Fish Wiz12/09/2010 at --

Two stroke outboard engines are noisy and stinky, and not known for being very reliable. I’d stick to human power, or electric power, or both.

FW

Pete12/09/2010 at --

Better use a leaf blower – It works when the nozzle is either in the water, or just pointing backwards and blowing air. No problems with seaweed clogging the propeller, and you can go in skinny water. Even a powerful leaf blower doesn’t weigh more than one of those tiny outboard gas engines, and you can get one for cheaper… and blow leaves with it too!

Marco12/09/2010 at --

Hey, if I propel my kayak with a leaf blower, would I have to register it as a motorboat? 😀 Marco

bark12/09/2010 at --

you can use a weedeater too. it works

Dan C12/09/2010 at --

Interesting discussion… Some leaf blowers feature a 4-stroke engine. They save the need to mix oil in the gas, stink less, and are quieter than the 2-stroke engines

Rox12/10/2010 at --

Marco, yes you would have to register the yak with electric or gas powered motor. The only way you wouldn’t need to register, is if it human powered such as paddle or wind.

Hummmm, leaf blowers for power, noisy, but I bet it works. Pete, have you tried this?

Tight lines and move your Wavewalks safely. Rox

Pete12/10/2010 at --

Nope, but I saw one with my own eyes – on YouTube… 🙂 Pretty impressive, but much more noisy than paddling 😉 Pete